Grain lifting device



NOV. 24, 1953 s, KLUG 2,660,020

GRAIN LIF'TING DEVICE Filed June 5, 1950 I-NVENTOR SIMON KLUG C BY o ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAIN LIFTING DEVICE Simon Klug, Caledonia, Minn.

Application June 5, 1950, Serial No. 166,270

7 Claims.

This invention relates to grain lifting devices the forward edge of the binder platform with a plurality of spaced members which have become known and referred to as pick-up guards. However, it has been found that even a binder equi ped with a plurality of pick-up guards frequently is unsuccessful in recovering much of such grain. This is true because, although the guard is projected beneath the stalks of the grain as the binder moves forward and an upward lifting thrust is imposed upon the grain stalk at the point where it is engaged by the guard, frequentl the grain stalk has previously been bent or broken with the result that, although the lower portion of the stalk is lifted above the binder sickle, the upper portion which carries the valuable heads of grain will still depend below the sickle and binder platform at a point quite distant laterally of the guard and hence will be severed by the sickle. In this manner the valuable head of grain is lost and only the middle portion of the stalk, which is relatively valueless', is saved. It also frequently is the case that where these guards slide beneath the stalks the latter bend or break as a direct result of the narrow lifting surface provided thereby and of the relatively heavy grain heads and their long stalks. In both cases, the head of the rain is out free and permitted to drop upon the ground from which it is never recovered. The amount of grain lost in this manner is very substantial especially when the grain has been badly lodged by strong winds, etc.

It is an obiect of my invention to provide a grain lifting device for use in conjunction with grain binders which will effectively lift down grain and will provide a relatively broad support "for the stalks of grain so as to insure that the heads of the grain will be elevated and maintained above the binder sickle until after the stalks have been severed.

Another object is to provide a grain-lifting device of the type described which is capable of being swung to either side of the guard upon which. or adjacent to which it is mounted.

A further object is to provide a grain-lifting unit having a plurality of lifting members with relatively broad lifting surfaces and being capable of being adjusted to simultaneously swing its lifting surfaces from one side to the other as desired.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like" reference characters refer to similar parts through out the several views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device with alternate positions shown in broken lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a binder platform having a plurality of the devices mounted for simultaneous control thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 shows a Quality of devices embodying my invention being used in conjunction with a binder indicated generally as A and having a platform B and a seat c. Extending transversely relative to the direction of movement of the binder A and along the forward edge of the planform B is a metal flange D which has secured thereto a plurality of sickle guards E which carry therethrough the sickle F.-

One embodiment of my invention, as best shown in Fig. 1, includes a forwardly and downwardly extending shank indicated generally as 5, the forward point 6 of which is curved upwardly. Secured to the rearward end of the shank 5 by a bolt 1 is a plate 8 having a rearwardly extending bracket 9. This bracket 9 is pivotally connected to an upstanding bracket ID by a horizontal pivot pin 1 I. The upstanding bracket I0 is rigidly connected to the flange n by the bolt l2 which serves to secure the sickle guard lit to the underside of the flange D.

Secured to the medial portion of the shank 5 in any suitable manner is a shoe H which extends longitudinally of the shank 5 and rear-'- wardly therefrom. The rear portion of the shoe I 4 is connected to the rear portion of the'shank 5 by a generally rectangular shaped bracket l5 which is provided with open forward and rearward sides to accommodate the forward point of the sickle guard t3. The bracket I 5 is secured to the shoe M by a bolt [6 and to the shank '5 by a bolt 11.

The shank 51s provided adjacent its forward point 6 with an. upstanding eye member [8 hav ing a base portion [9' adapted to be secured to 3 the shank 5 by a bolt 26. Secured to the rearward portion and upper surface of the shank 5 is a second upstanding eye member 2| which has a similarly formed base member 22 by which the eye 2| is rigidly secured to the shank 5 by the bolt ll.

swingably mounted, as shown in Fig. 1, in the eyes [8' and 2| is a support member indicated generally as 23. This support member 23 has a forwardly extending portion 24 which is swingably mounted within the eyes l8 and '2! and which reverses upon itself adjacent the forward point 6 of the shank 5 to form a. laterally, upwardly, and rearwardly extending arm 25. The rear end of the forwardly extending portion 2 is provided with a hook 25 which is adapted to turn freely within a loop 21 provided therefor on a transversely extending draw rod 28. The draw rod 28 has a loop 29 on its end adjacent the binder A which receives the forward end 30 of a crank arm 3!. The crank arm 31 is provided with a handle 32 and is pivotall mounted and secured to the binder A by a pair of pivot brackets 33 and 3'4.

As the binder A moves forward the upturned point 6 of the shank 5 slides beneath the down grain and causes the same to slide upwardly over the entire device. The free pivotal connection provided by the upstanding bracket It], the pivot pin H, and the rearwardly extending bracket 9 permits the shank 5 to ride over the ground in a free.floating movement. The shank 5 is thereby caused to move upwardly and downwardly in an overhanging relation to the sickle guard I3. The upturned point 6 precludes the shank 5 from catching in the ground when going over an uneven surface and thereby clogging the machine.

As the point 6 slides beneath the grain, the latter slides upwardly and rearwardly over the arm 25 and the forward portion 24 of the support member 23. Because the arm 25 extends laterally relative to the forward portion 23 a broad support surface is thereby provided which positively tends to reduce the possibility of heavy grain heads causing the grain stalks to bend or break. Instead, the broad support will cause the grain heads to be lifted and maintained at an elevation above the sickle guard l3 and its corresponding members which are mounted along the forward edge of the platform B to insure that as the sickle F cuts the stalks of grain, the heads will not beat an elevation below the sickle F. As previously described, without such a broad minimum.

When the grain is lodged transversely relative to the direction of movement of the binder it is possible to cut the grain while traveling both directions lengthwise of the field, if a plurality of my devices are used in conjunction with the crank arm 3! and the draw rod 28. Referring now to Fig. 3, it can be readily seen that when the grain lies toward the left of the binder A, the crank handle 32 should be turned so as to cause each arm 25 to extend laterally ta the left of the s ckle guard I 3 with which it is associated. In this manner the arm '25 will support the individual grain stalks after they have been raised slightly by the forwardly extending portion 24. When the grain lies in the opposite direction, namely, toward the binder A, the handle 32 should be moved to the dotted line position whereupon the crank arm 3! will cause the individual support arms 25 to swing to the broken line position shown in Fig. 3. Thereafter these arms will provide a broad support for the individual grain stalks in a manner similar to that described above. The operator of the binder will thereby be provided with a device which will reduce to an absolute minimum the number of grain heads lost through the severance of the grain stalk portions adjacent thereto.

It can be readil seen that I have provided a device which may be simply and cheaply manufactured either as an individual unit or as an attachment for other types of pick-up guards. If desired, the support arm 23 can be manufactured and sold as an attachment which can be pivotally mounted upon any type of pick-up guard. It should be noted that the crank 5 and its associated parts mounted in the manner shown in Fig. 1 correspond to the conventional type of pickup guard.

It should also be noted that I have provided a ready means for simultaneously shifting the support arms 25 as a group to either side of their respective sickle guards as desired. Such a device efiects a substantial reduction in the amount of time and effort consumed in cutting lodged grain since, without such a member, it is oftentimes necessary to cut lodged grain in a single direction.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A grain lifting device for use in conjunction with a grain binder sickle guard comprising an angulated support member, mounting structure for swingably mounting said member on the binder adjacent said guard and in over hanging relation thereto for upward and downward floating movement relative to said guard and over the ground and for swinging movement laterally of said guard, said support member extending forwardly and downwardly relative to such-guard when so mounted, said member having a forward grain engaging portion and having a support surface extending laterally and rearwardly from said forward portion whereby grain engaged by said portion may slide rearwardly over said surface and said portion and thereby be provided with a relatively broad support to insure that the entire upper portions of the grain will be maintained at a level above said guard while said grain is being cut.

2. A grain lifting attachment for a grain binder sickle having in combination a pick-up guard adapted to be mounted upon the binder in position directly ahead of the sickle, a rodlike member having one portion thereof swingably mounted along the upper surface of said pick-up guard, said member being reversed upon itself at a point adjacent the forward tip of said pick-up guard and having a second portion extending rearwardly and laterally from said point whereby grain picked up by said pick-up guard may sli e r arward y over both of said portions and thereby be provided with a relatively broad support to insure that the entire upper portions of the grain will be maintained at a level above said sickle while said grain is being cut.

3. A grain lifting attachment for a grain binder sickle guard comprising a rod-like memher having a forwardly and downwardly extending portion mounting structure for swingably mounting said member on the binder adjacent said guard in overhanging relation thereto for upward and downward floating movement relative to said guard and over the ground, said member being reversed upon itself at the forward end of its forwardly extending portion and having another portion extending rearwardly and laterally therefrom whereby grain engaged by said forwardly extending portion may slide rearwardly over both of said portions and thereby be provided with a relatively broad support to insure that the entire upper portions of the grain will be maintained at a level above said guard and its sickle while said grain is being out, said mounting structure including structure pivotally mounting said member for pivotal movement of said laterally and rearwardly 1 extending portion about the longitudinal axis of said forwardly extending portion whereby said rearwardly and laterally extending portion may be swung to either side of said guard and of said forwardly extending portion to provide a broad transverse lifting surface for the grain.

4. A grain lifting device for a grain binder of the type having a sickle and guards therefor for cutting the grain, said device comprising a shank having a rear portion and a ground and grain engaging forward portion, structure for pivotally securing said shank by its rear portion on a horizontal axis to the binder adjacent one of said guards to provide floating movement over the ground for the forward and grain engaging portion of said shank, said shank extending forwardly and downwardly relative to said guard when so secured, and a support member swingably secured to said shank for swinging movement relative thereto and about its longitudinal axis, said member having a support surface extending laterally and rearwardly from a point adjacent the forward end of said shank to a point only slightly above the rear end of the shank whereby grain engaged by the forward portion of said shank may slide rearwardly over said surface and said shank and thereby be provided with a relatively broad support to insure that the entire upper portions of the grain will be maintained at a level above said guards and said sickle while said grain is being cut.

5. A grain lifting device for a grain binder of the type having a sickle and guards therefor for cutting the grain, said device comprising a shank having a rear portion and a ground and grain engaging forward portion, said shank including mounting structure for pivotally mounting the shank by its rear portion upon the binder and on a horizontal axis adjacent one of said guards to provide floating movement over the ground for the forward and grain engaging portion of said shank, said shank extending downwardly and forwardly from said guard when so mounted, and a support member swingably secured to said shank for limited swinging movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said shank, said member having an arm extending laterally and rearwardly from a point adjacent the forward end of said shank to a point lateral of and slightly above the rear end of said shank whereby grain engaged by the forward portion of said shank may slide rearwardly over said arm and said shank and thereby be provided with a relatively broad support to insure that the entire upper portions of the grain will be maintained at a level above said guards and said sickle while said grain is being cut.

6. The structure defined in claim 5, and control structure for controllably swinging said arm to either side of said guard.

7. A grain lifting device for use in conjunction with a grain binder having a sickle and a plurality of guards therefor, said device comprising a plurality of spaced angulated support members, mounting structure swingably mounting said members on the binder adjacent said guards in overhanging relation thereto for upward and downward floating movement relative to said guards and over the ground, each of said members having a forward grain engaging portion and having a support surface extending laterally and rearwardly from said forward portion whereby grain engaged by said portion may slide rearwardly over said surface and said portion and thereby be provided with a relatively broad support to insure that the entire upper portions of the grain will be maintained at a level above said guards while said grain is being out, each of said members being swingably supported along one of its sides by said mounting structure to permit said surface to be swung to either side, and common actuating means connecting said members whereby said surfaces of each of said members may be simultaneously swung in corresponding directions relative to the sides by which they are swingably mounted.

SIMON KLUG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 930,617 Riley Aug. 10, 1909 2,317,127 Bowling Apr. 20, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 760,709 France Dec. 14, 1933 

